STEVEN
ADAMS

Born in Rotorua, STEVEN ADAMS has risen from a small town Kiwi, to now a starter for the championship-contending Oklahoma City Thunder in the National Basketball Association in the USA. In being selected 12th overall in the 2013 NBA draft, Adams became the first New Zealander to be picked in the first round of an NBA draft.

After only five years of playing in the NBA, Steven Adams has not only solidified his place in the league, and earned a reputation as a hard-nose competitor, but also as someone with a bold Kiwi sense of humour. His rugged playing style makes good use of his imposing physical stature (2.13m tall and weighing 116kgs) and in 2014 he was acknowledged with selection in a NBA All-Rookie team.

At only 24 years old, Steven’s immediate success in the league came as a surprise to many, especially considering he only began playing basketball at the age of 14. However, success is not unusual in the Adams family; Steven is the younger brother of multiple gold medalist, Valerie Adams.